Marijuana Revenues

Whereas the Government of Canada has publicly declared its intention to legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana with creation of a new system of marijuana sales and distribution with appropriate federal and provincial excise taxes applied; And whereas the new legal framework will not completely eliminate the costs associated with enforcement initiatives related to drugs in Canada, it is expected they will be significantly reduced, providing the federal government opportunities to redirect savings and invest in youth engagement and prevention programs and initiatives that include community partnerships with provincial and local governments: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Government of Canada to share a portion of revenues realized from the legalization and regulation of marijuana together with a share of savings realized from reduced enforcement costs with provincial and local governments given the marked impact that marijuana sales and distribution will have upon Canadian communities and the need for direct investments to youth engagement initiatives not limited to recreation, health care programs, employment, community and cultural programs.